Fire Retardant Tarps Testing And Certification.

Feb. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- Some of these key factors include the thickness of the poly tarp, the mesh count, the grommet spacing and the treatments added to the fabric both during and after production. Fire retardant tarps are unique in the fact that they are not only rated as a heavy-duty poly cover but are also treated topically and rated as fire resistant. Fire retardant tarps go through extensive testing before they are available for purchase by the consumer. The rigorous testing is necessary to ensure that the end user is getting a high quality tarp product, which meets both local and national fire authority requirements.

The first step in licensing a fire retardant tarp starts with obtaining a product sample, which is then sent to an independent testing lab for approval. Upon weeks of testing the fire retardant tarp, the independent lab will issue a report of their findings. Assuming that the fabric has passed the independent labs requirements, the fire retardant tarp is then sent to the State Fire Marshals office with a copy of the independent labs report. The State Fire Marshals office will then conduct a test of their own to confirm the results found by the independent lab. Only after the fire retardant tarp has passed both the independent and the State Fire Marshals testing requirements will the fabric be issued a registration number.

Fire retardant tarps meet the requirements NFPA 701, CPAI-84 and California Title 19 standards. Many people assume that once the tarp is rated as fire retardant, the fabric will not burn when exposed to heat or flame. In fact, the fabric will burn when exposed to heat or flame. A fire retardant tarp is not fire proof but rather fire resistant. A fire retardant tarp will not hold a flame and will self extinguish once the source has been eliminated. It is this self-extinguishing characteristic, which makes the fire retardant tarp, so unique compared to that of regular heavy-duty poly tarps.

Each fire retardant tarp includes a permanent tag, which is affixed to fabric. The tag attached to the fire retardant tarp contains both the registration number and the codes for which it is compliant under. Many states are now requiring that all swap meet and flea market vendors change their existing canopy covers to that of a fire retardant tarp. Upon inspection, the fire prevention officer will look for the attached tag to assure compliance under local fire codes.

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